$ETH

#ETH Ethereum (ETH) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and others, Ethereum introduced the concept of programmable blockchain through its own language, Solidity. ETH, the platform’s native cryptocurrency, is used to pay transaction fees and computational services on the network. Unlike Bitcoin, which mainly serves as digital money, Ethereum offers broader functionality, such as powering DeFi (decentralized finance), NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations). In 2022, Ethereum transitioned to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism with "The Merge," drastically reducing its energy consumption. This shift marked a major step toward scalability, sustainability, and further innovations on the network.